Steam systems expert and trainer at Spirax Sarco’s UK Steam Technology Centre (UKSTC) Mike Maslanka is only one of 20 people in the UK to be awarded the highly regarded Boiler Operation Accreditation Scheme (BOAS) Trainer Certification by the Combustion Engineering Association (CEA).

The BOAS is a nationally recognised certification for boiler operators and helps employers demonstrate that they have provided suitable and appropriate training to boiler operators and boiler house managers in line with BG01 (Guidance on Safe Operation of Steam Boilers). Spirax Sarco is one of the few organisations in the UK to have been delivering the BOAS courses since the scheme’s inception in 2005.

Training employees to operate boilers and work in the boilerhouse safely and efficiently to BOAS standards can save companies thousands of pounds through lower fuel costs and a reduced need for both repair work and water treatment chemicals. The accreditation process for the BOAS Trainer Certification is highly robust due to the critical nature of boiler operations and therefore involves a number of intensive interview processes.

With 4750 professionals BOAS-accredited in the UK, and a requirement to be renewed every five years, there is a consistently high demand for BOAS-certified trainers to carry out the scheme’s courses. This latest BOAS Trainer Certification, awarded to Mike Maslanka, means Spirax Sarco now has further in-house capacity and expertise to continue delivering and innovating its market-leading training programme, allowing the training centre to provide an even wider variety of engaging course content.

Mike has excelled in his capacity as a trainer at Spirax Sarco’s state-of-the-art training facility in Cheltenham, providing high-quality instruction to customers, designers, installers and users and maintainers of steam and condensate systems. Prior to joining the steam solutions provider in 2017, he spent 30 years in the Royal Air Force with his final 10 years spent working on delivering highly technical content to leadership teams.

The CEA’s Director David Kilpatrick offers congratulations on Mike becoming an accredited CEA BOAS Trainer, using his engaging skills and high quality training materials. “Through the formal accreditation process, Mike demonstrated the level of boiler house knowledge that will ensure high standards of best practice across the industry, true to the standards of the CEA and its accredited schemes.”

Mike adds: “I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was tough but I took the training really seriously and made sure I knew the systems inside out. I suppose I’ve always had a natural willingness to learn which has also meant I’ve also really enjoyed the process. Working at the Spirax Sarco Steam Technology Centre is really rewarding so I look forward to getting my teeth stuck into the upcoming BOAS courses.”